Laura Allen
{{short description|American actress (born 1974)}}
{{for|the American make-up artist|Laura Allen (make-up artist)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox person
|image =
| name = Laura Allen
| birthname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|3|21|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Actress
| alma_mater = Wellesley College
| yearsactive = 2000–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Bruce Weyman|2006}}
| children = 2
}}
Laura Allen (born March 21, 1974){{cite news |last=Baker |first=Jeff |date=April 28, 2014 |title=18 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Portland |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2014/04/18_actors_you_maybe_didnt_know.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023034602/https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2014/04/18_actors_you_maybe_didnt_know.html |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |access-date=February 15, 2016 |newspaper=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon}} is an American actress. She is known for her roles on the ABC Daytime soap opera All My Children (2000–2002) and the USA Network television series The 4400 (2004–2005, 2007). She has also been a regular cast member on Dirt (2007 to 2008), Terriers (2010), and Awake (2012).
Early life
Allen was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington. She is the middle child of three sisters. She attended Wellesley College as a sociology major and graduated in 1996. She worked with the NYPD as a domestic violence counselor before pursuing acting.{{cite web |url=http://www.lauraallen.net/bio.html |title=Bio |publisher=Lauraallen.net |access-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928000951/http://www.lauraallen.net/bio.html |url-status=dead }}
Career
= 1997–2002: Early work and ''All My Children'' =
While pursuing her career in social work, Allen became drawn to the theatre. She took a job as a crew member for the Blue Man Group, then won a role as Maid Marion in a touring production of Robin Hood. Despite the grueling experience of the Robin Hood tour, Allen decided she wanted to focus on acting.
Allen began working as a waitress while interning at the MCC Theater, where she met Robert LuPone. He mentored her, teaching her the Meisner technique and introducing her to her first agent. Allen turned down a role on Sex and the City when she learned that it would require nudity. She won a guest starring role on The Street.{{Cite web |title=About the Actors: Laura Allen |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/allen_laura.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505013947/https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/allen_laura.php |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}
She auditioned unsuccessfully for the roles of Michelle Bauer on Guiding Light and Melanie MacIver on One Life to Live before being cast as Laura Kirk-English on All My Children. The role had previously been played by Lauren Roman. Allen played Laura from October 2000 to January 2002.
= 2003–2008: ''The 4400'' and ''Dirt'' =
After departing AMC, Allen went on to play Susan Delacorte in Mike Newell's Mona Lisa Smile.{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=December 9, 2003 |title=Mona Lisa Smile |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/mona-lisa-smile-1200537521/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234859/https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/mona-lisa-smile-1200537521/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Variety}} On television, she guest starred on Cold Case, North Shore, House, and Criminal Minds.{{Cite web |title=Laura Allen |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/laura-allen/credits/3000437018/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234901/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/laura-allen/credits/3000437018/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=TV Guide}} In 2004, Allen was cast as Samantha Wade in Sucker Free City, a Showtime film directed by Spike Lee.{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=September 16, 2004 |title=Sucker Free City |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/sucker-free-city-1200531025/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234857/https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/sucker-free-city-1200531025/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Variety}} This was followed by a leading role as Jane Carol Webb in the film How You Look to Me.{{Cite web |last=Kuhn |first=Sarah |date=November 5, 2019 |title=Laura Allen: Down to Earth |url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/laura-allen-earth-35339/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234858/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/laura-allen-earth-35339/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Backstage}}{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2005 |title='Look' looks about done |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/look-looks-about-done-1117919715/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424230137/https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/look-looks-about-done-1117919715/ |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Variety}}
She landed a starring role on USA Network's hit series, The 4400, playing the role of Lily Tyler. However, her character was written out of the show before its third season. She reprised the role of Lily Tyler in 2007 in the fourth season of The 4400 for one episode.{{cite web|url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/print.php?id=36546| title = What Happened To 4400's Lily?| access-date = December 11, 2006|last=Lee|first=Patrick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715171158/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/print.php?id=36546|archive-date=July 15, 2006}}{{Cite web |last=Webb Mitovich |first=Matt |date=August 17, 2007 |title=Laura Allen Has the Dirt on The 4400's Surprising Reunion |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/4400-dirt-allen-38674/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507031209/https://www.tvguide.com/news/4400-dirt-allen-38674/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=TV Guide}}
In 2007, Allen was cast in a regular role on the FX drama series Dirt, playing Julia Mallory. She guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and appeared in the films From Within and The Collective.{{Cite web |title=The Collective |url=https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=800 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012320/https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=800 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Brooklyn Film Festival}}
= 2009–2012: ''Terriers'' and ''Awake'' =
Allen played a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy in 2009 as the ex-lover of Owen (Kevin McKidd).{{Cite web |last=Cellura |first=Regan |date=January 14, 2009 |title=AMC's Laura Allen Cast on Grey's Anatomy |url=https://daytimeconfidential.com/2009/01/14/amcs-laura-allen-cast-on-greys-anatomy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507031825/https://daytimeconfidential.com/2009/01/14/amcs-laura-allen-cast-on-greys-anatomy |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Daytime Confidential}} She guest starred on CSI: Miami and appeared in the films Hysteria and Old Dogs.{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2016 |title=Interview: Laura Allen (Clown) |url=https://gruesomemagazine.com/2016/08/16/interview-laura-allan-clown/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929123804/https://gruesomemagazine.com/2016/08/16/interview-laura-allan-clown/ |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Gruesome Magazine}}
She played Linda in the 2010 comedy film Cherry, co-starring with Kyle Gallner.{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=November 4, 2010 |title=A Freshman Year to Remember |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/movies/05cherry.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234858/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/movies/05cherry.html |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=The New York Times}} Allen then had a regular role as Katie Nichols on the short-lived FX series Terriers in 2010.{{Cite web |last=Bellafante |first=Gina |date=September 7, 2010 |title=In a Golden Land, but Grateful for Brass Rings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/arts/television/08terriers.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234858/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/arts/television/08terriers.html |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=The New York Times}} In 2012, she was initially cast in a supporting role on the NBC series Awake (then titled REM), but was promoted to a leading role as Hannah Britten.{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Alessandra |date=February 29, 2012 |title=Choose a Reality? If Only He Could |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/arts/television/awake-starring-jason-isaacs-on-nbc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422181224/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/arts/television/awake-starring-jason-isaacs-on-nbc.html |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=March 21, 2011 |title=Pilot Rarity: Laura Allen Promoted To Female Lead On NBC's 'REM' |url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/pilot-rarity-laura-allen-promoted-to-female-lead-on-nbcs-rem-115931/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129070207/https://deadline.com/2011/03/pilot-rarity-laura-allen-promoted-to-female-lead-on-nbcs-rem-115931/ |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Deadline}}
Allen was cast in a Lifetime pilot, The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Luke |date=October 15, 2012 |title=Laura Allen Uncovers The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives |url=https://daytimeconfidential.com/2012/10/15/laura-allen-uncovers-the-secret-lives-of-husbands-and-wives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212543/https://daytimeconfidential.com/2012/10/15/laura-allen-uncovers-the-secret-lives-of-husbands-and-wives |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Daytime Confidential}} In early 2013, it was announced that the project wasn't going forward.{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Lifetime's Kim Raver Starrer 'Secret Lives of Wives' Not Moving Forward |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lifetimes-kim-raver-secret-lives-wives-413084/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212543/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lifetimes-kim-raver-secret-lives-wives-413084/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}
= 2014–present =
In 2014, Allen had a recurring role as Rochelle Matheson on Ravenswood, a spinoff of Pretty Little Liars.{{Cite web |last=Kay |first=Ariel |date=December 28, 2014 |title='Nanny Cam's Star Used To Work with the NYPD |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/55376-who-is-laura-allen-the-nanny-cam-star-used-to-work-with-the-nypd-is |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509121416/https://www.bustle.com/articles/55376-who-is-laura-allen-the-nanny-cam-star-used-to-work-with-the-nypd-is |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Bustle}} She portrayed Meg in the horror film Clown.{{Cite web |last=Miska |first=Brad |date=2015-03-07 |title='Clown' Clip Enters a Jungle Gym of Terror |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/videos/3335176/clown-clip-enters-jungle-gym-terror/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172544/https://bloody-disgusting.com/videos/3335176/clown-clip-enters-jungle-gym-terror/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Gareth |date=2015-02-28 |title=Clown (UK DVD) |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/91401/clown-uk-dvd/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172547/https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/91401/clown-uk-dvd/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Dread Central |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Barton |first=Steve |date=2015-02-27 |title=Eli Roth's Clown Gets a New UK Trailer |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/91272/eli-roths-clown-gets-new-uk-trailer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172548/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/91272/eli-roths-clown-gets-new-uk-trailer/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Dread Central |language=en-US}} Allen starred as Linda Kessler in the Lifetime movie Nanny Cam.[http://marvista.net/Details.aspx?id=84df7e05-c1d7-e311-b063-d4ae527c3b65 Nanny Cam – MarVista Entertainment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213152018/http://marvista.net/Details.aspx?id=84df7e05-c1d7-e311-b063-d4ae527c3b65 |date=February 13, 2015 }} She also had a guest starring role on NCIS: New Orleans.
Allen was cast as Olivia in Marvel's Most Wanted, a proposed spinoff of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2016.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2016 |title=Marvel's Most Wanted – 2016 |url=https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/marvel-s-most-wanted-2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506193125/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/marvel-s-most-wanted-2016 |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=AV Club}} The project was dropped before it could air. In May 2016, Allen guest starred on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. She had a recurring role as Rosie on American Horror Story: Cult in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Nemetz |first=Dave |date=July 19, 2017 |title=American Horror Story: Lena Dunham Books Season 7 Role (Yes, Really) |url=https://tvline.com/casting-news/american-horror-story-cast-lena-dunham-season-7-fx-849404/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212546/https://tvline.com/casting-news/american-horror-story-cast-lena-dunham-season-7-fx-849404/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=TV Line}}
In the 2018 film The Tale, a drama about sexual abuse, Allen played a younger version of Ellen Burstyn's character.{{Cite web |last=Felperin |first=Leslie |date=January 20, 2018 |title='The Tale': Film Review {{!}} Sundance 2018 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tale-review-1076440/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506215853/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tale-review-1076440/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} She continued to take on dramatic roles, appearing in the short film Unspeakable, directed by Milena Govich.{{Cite web |title=Unspeakable |url=https://watch.afi.com/movie/unspeakable-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515231637/https://watch.afi.com/movie/unspeakable-3 |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=American Film Institute}} On television, she had a regular role as Officer Reynolds in the third season of Hap and Leonard.{{Cite web |last=Keene |first=Allison |date=March 14, 2018 |title='Hap and Leonard' EP on Florida's Journey & Balancing Humor with Serious Darkness |url=https://collider.com/hap-and-leonard-season-3-interview-john-wirth/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529190659/https://collider.com/hap-and-leonard-season-3-interview-john-wirth/ |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Collider}}
Allen had recurring roles on 9-1-1 and Suits in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Poisuo |first=Pauli |date=April 5, 2024 |title=Why Chicago Fire's Chief Robinson Looks So Familiar |url=https://www.looper.com/1553215/chicago-fire-why-chief-robinson-looks-familiar-actress-laura-allen/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212543/https://www.looper.com/1553215/chicago-fire-why-chief-robinson-looks-familiar-actress-laura-allen/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Looper}} In 2024, she began appearing in the recurring role of Chief Robinson on Chicago Fire.
Personal life
After leaving All My Children in 2002, Allen took a ten week training course to become an Emergency medical technician.
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2003
| data-sort-value="Tale of Two, A" | A Tale of Two |Limo Girl |Short film |
| Mona Lisa Smile
|Susan Delacorte | |
| 2005
|Jane Carol Webb | |
| rowspan="2"|2008
|Trish | |
| data-sort-value="Collective, The" |The Collective
|Clare | |
| 2009
|Kelly | |
| rowspan="2"|2010
|Linda | |
| Hysteria
|Erin | |
| 2013
|Red Car |Marilyn |Short film |
| 2014
|Meg McCoy | |
| 2017
|Buxom Wench | |
| rowspan="2" |2018
| data-sort-value="Tale, The" | The Tale |Young Nettie | |
| Unspeakable
|Marie Deguire |Short film |
| 2019
|One Foot in Front |The Mom |Short film |
| 2020
|Last Looks |Friend |Short film |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2000
| data-sort-value="Street, The" | The Street |Jennifer |Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2000–2002
|Laura Kirk-English |Contract role |
| rowspan="3"|2004
|Vanessa Prosser |Episode: "Late Returns" |
| North Shore
|Monique |Episode: "More" |
| Sucker Free City
|Samantha Wade |Television film |
| 2004–2005; 2007
| data-sort-value="Forty-four Hundred, The" | The 4400 |Main cast (seasons 1–2) |
| 2006
|Sarah Alston |Episode: "All In" |
| rowspan="2"|2007
|Bobbi Baird |Episode: "Open Season" |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
|Cass Magnall |Episode: "Alternate" |
| 2007–2008
|Dirt |Julia Mallory |Main cast |
| rowspan="2"|2009
|Beth Whitman |Episodes: "Beat Your Heart Out", "Before and After" |
| CSI: Miami
|Sondra Moore |Episode: "Dissolved" |
| 2010
|Katie Nichols |Main cast |
| 2012
|Main cast |
| 2013
|Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives |Alison Dunn |Unaired pilot |
| 2013–2014
|Rochelle Matheson |6 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2014
|Katherine Wilson |Episode: "Watch Over Me" |
| Nanny Cam
|Linda Kessler |Television film |
| 2015; 2019
|Lily Specter |Episodes: "Hitting Home", "Faith", "Thunder Away" |
| rowspan="2"|2016
|Olivia |Unaired pilot |
| Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
|Emily Wagner |Episode: "Paper Orphans" |
| rowspan="2"|2017
|Rosie |Episodes: "Neighbors from Hell", "Holes" |
| Wisdom of the Crowd
|Shelly Walsh |Episode: "Clear History" |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| data-sort-value="Nine-one-one" | 9-1-1 |Marcy Nash |Episodes: "Point of Origin", "Bobby Begins Again" |
| Hap and Leonard
|Officer Reynolds |5 episodes |
| 2019–2021
|Alana Cave |5 episodes |
| 2024
|Chief Robinson |4 episodes |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
- [https://www.allmovie.com/artist/laura-allen-vn15434154 Laura Allen] at [https://www.allmovie.com/ AllMovie]
{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|Oregon|Film|Television}}
{{Authority control}}
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Category:American soap opera actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Portland, Oregon
Category:Actresses from Washington (state)